Parliament

Opened by Commission, the Royal Commissioners being the Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton), the Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos), the Lord Strathclyde, the Lord Donaldson of Lymington and the Lord Roper.
	Then, the Commons being at the Bar, The Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, we are commanded by Her Majesty to let you know that, it not being convenient for her to be present here this day in her Royal Person, she has thought fit, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal, to empower several Lords therein named to do all things in Her Majesty's name which are to be done on Her Majesty's part in this Parliament, as by the Letters Patent, will more fully appear.
	Then, the Commission having been read at the Table, the Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, we have it in command from Her Majesty to let you know that, as soon as the Members of both Houses shall be sworn, the causes of Her Majesty calling this Parliament will be declared to you; and, it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Commons should be first chosen, it is Her Majesty's pleasure that you, Members of the House of Commons, repair to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker, and that you present such person whom you shall so choose here for Her Majesty's Royal Approbation.
	And it further appears to Her Majesty to be expedient, with a view to prevent delay in the administration of justice, to provide now for the hearing of appeals depending before Her Majesty in Her Court of Parliament: therefore we do hereby command, in the name of Her Majesty, the Lords of Appeal, as soon as they shall be sworn, to hear and determine such appeals at such times and in such manner as they shall see fit.
	The Commons then withdrew.
	Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Oxford.

Peers and Oath of Allegiance

The Lord Chancellor, singly in the first place—Took the Oath.
	Several Lords—Took the Oath or Affirmed.
	House adjourned at seven o'clock.